Have you ever packed for a holiday before, you’ll know that there are some items you just can’t forget to carry with you – especially if you’re traveling to Makkah and Madinah, you’ll want to make sure your essential items are with you so that you can perform Umrah or Hajj with ease. After all, your packages and hotel won’t include the necessities for a valid Umrah or Hajj
So, what is this checklist you’re on about? We’ve divided your packing list into three categories:
- Documentation (e.g., your passport and tickets – you know, the things you’ll need to actually board your plane),
- Essentials (toiletries, cash, and clothes)
- Ibadah (like your Ihram garment, which for men is so essential, that ihram is not complete without it!)
DOCUMENTATION:
- Passport, tickets, ID card: This one’s obvious – but you can’t afford to forget your essential documents on the day of travel! It also includes airline tickets, visa documentation, a photocopy of your passport, and other important documents.
- Negative PCR COVID-19 test: if you’re a non-Saudi citizen traveling to Saudi Arabia, you’ll need a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding
- Proof of vaccination: If you have been vaccinated for covid (Saudi ministry of health approves of Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) then you are not required to quarantine so long as you have proof of vaccination! If you are unvaccinated, you must quarantine for seven days in a hotel or shelter approved by the Saudi ministry of tourism.
- Islamic will
- Passport sized photos
- Emergency contact numbers: for your group leader, your country’s consulate etc.
ESSENTIAL
- Money/cash
- Medications: If you have any conditions, you’ll need to pack enough (even more) medicine for the duration of your stay, and this includes any devices you use to measure blood pressure and sugar.
- Unscented items: This includes unscented petroleum jelly, unscented soap, unscented tissues/baby wipes
- Cotton undergarments
- A backpack/waist pouch: Depending on if you’re going for Hajj or Umrah, you’ll want to take a lightweight backpack for Hajj, and a waist pouch for Umrah to keep your important stuff at hand.
- Essential toiletries
- A pair of scissors, razor, nail cutter
- Folding Umbrella: Not for the rain, for the sun! (Although it is likely that you cannot take this inside the Haram.
IBAADAH
- Ihram: For men, ihram consists of two pieces – we suggest taking two sets for your journey, and don’t forget a belt to keep it in place!
- Pocket Quran and Fortress of the Muslim
- Dua list: Make the most out of your time and increase in dua – for yourself and others, and frequently read duas from Hadith and Quran
- Tasbih
- Compass for the Qibla: Or use an app
- Umrah/Hajj guidebook
- Compact travel prayer mat
